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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 16, 1996 Page 2 1 inches. Because they purchased the house as built, they are unable to make any improvements to 2 this side of the house without a variance. 3 The construction of this proposed addition will not impact the lot coverage requirement. Once the 4 project is complete,the total footprint of the residence will occupy 2,861 square feet, or 24.7% of 5 the total property square footage of 11,586.6. The City Ordinance restricts lot coverage to 35%. 6 As indicated in their letter submitted with the application, a porch and deck addition to their home 7 would be consistent with other homes in the surrounding neighborhood. They have contacted their 8 immediate neighbors that would be impacted most by this addition and received favorable responses 9 from them. Staff have not received any information from anyone in the neighborhood who objects 10 to the proposed addition. 11 RECOMMENDATION: 12 Staff recommends approval of the variance request of 18 feet,provided that the applicants complete 13 the porch and deck construction within 12 months as stipulated in the City Zoning Ordinance. The 14 applicants have demonstrated hardships that make it impossible to improve their property in any way 15 that would make it usable. They purchased property that has a residential structure already sitting 16 in the rear yard setback thereby precluding the construction of a porch and deck without a variance. 17 It is also a corner lot which is required by the Zoning Ordinance to have at least 11,000 square feet. 18 Because of the unusual configuration of the house,they are unable to make improvements on much 19 of their property. 20 Mr..Lutterman reviewed the proposed porch and deck addition for the Planning Commission. He 21 noted the addition would be 24 feet, 10 inches from the property line, and would begin with the deck 22 portion, with the porch being added the first part of next year. 23 Commissioner Makowske inquired if there was any other way the property could be improved. Mr. 24 Lutterman stated there is no potential to enjoy any outdoor activity at the home now due to insects. 25 He stated other homes in the area have similar porches added, and noted if his home was on a 26 standard lot with adequate side yard he would not need a variance request to allow an addition. 27 Commissioner Makowske stated the home is on an unusually shaped lot, which could be viewed as 28 a hardship,one of the criteria for a variance. Mr.Lutterman agreed,and stated the home was already 29 built when he purchased the property and cannot change the placement of the home. He also stated 30 he has spoken with the neighbors and have received their support. He noted the wall that will face 31 the neighbor most impacted by the addition will have no window openings,and the distance between 32 the two dwellings will be 10 feet, four inches. 33 Vice Chair Thompson closed the public hearing at 7:12 p.m. 34 Motion by Gondorchin, seconded by Franzese,to approve the rear yard setback variance request for 35 C. William and Susan Lutterman as presented,based on meeting the three criteria for variances and